NEW DELHI: More than 15,700 people have applied for the prestigious Padma awards for the year 2018, with the government laying stress on honouring the unsung heroes.

The process of nominations for the Padma Awards, 2018 is on and the last date for receipt of the nominations is September 15, a home ministry spokesperson said.

So far, 15,706 people have applied for the Padma awards and the number of nominations for the honour last year was 18,768, an official said.

Anyone can nominate any person and people are encouraged to nominate unsung heroes who deserve these prestigious awards.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said last month that the prestigious awards in the past were given on the recommendations of ministers or politicians but his government has now made it open to anyone for nomination.

"Remember how Padma Awards were given earlier? We brought in a 'small' change - people can recommend names for awards, unlike the past," Modi had said at an event organised by the Niti Aayog.

Modi emphasised that there were umpteen unsung heroes who have done exceptional works in different fields and deserved such a national honour.

With the online portal www.padmaawards.gov.in still open, public at large have been enabled to participate in the nomination process which closes at midnight on September 15 and nominations received after the last date will not be considered.

The Padma awards seek to recognise works of distinction and exceptional achievements in different fields and disciplines such as art, literature and education, sports, medicine, social work, science and engineering, public affairs, civil service, trade and industry.

Recommendations can also be made by state governments, UTs, ministries, departments of the government of India, Bharat Ratna and Padma Vibhushan awardees, central and state ministers, chief ministers and governors of state, and Members of Parliament, among others.

The nominations are placed before the Padma Awards Committee, constituted by the prime minister every year.

The awards -- Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri -- are announced on the eve of the Republic Day every year.